New Delhi, 21 December (H.S.): Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday accused the central government of systematically dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), converting a legal right to work into a discretionary favour. He charged that by capping funds, centralising control, and altering its demand-driven nature, the BJP has transformed MGNREGA into a budget-dependent scheme, plunging crores of rural families into insecurity and distress.

In a post on social media platform X, Venugopal stated that this assault on workers' statutory entitlement has left rural households vulnerable. He announced that Congress is staging nationwide protests at all district headquarters today to oppose these changes, with the issue slated for discussion at the Congress Working Committee meeting on December 27.Venugopal outlined further plans for December 28, the party's foundation day, when Congress workers will organise programmes across mandals and panchayats nationwide.

These events will reaffirm commitment to Mahatma Gandhi's ideals through his portraits, while upholding the constitutional promise of justice, dignity, and the right to work.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar